greta

My doctor charged a $3,500 program fee, that is not covered by insurance. Is this typical.

good luck NinaC. I hope Stacy reads this and doesn't make the same mistake that I made with my doctor and program fee.

I had to switch to a different doctor at the last minute and went with a doctor who charged me $3,500 for a "program fee". It is a total rip off, offers nothing, and has not been a good doctor or office. Beware of "program fees". Most of the people on lapbandtalk.com don't have this fee. I was banded 1 1/2 weeks ago. I'm in OC california

Hey Indiogirl. it sounds to me that you got something for your money. it probably evens out with all those visits and fills and you like your doctor. Good luck

stacynclare - Chapman is where I went. Be aware of this ridiculous fee. Make the drive up to Marina Del Rey. Jeremy Korman is great, now accepts BlueCross. If you don't have insurance all the doctors have a cash price. Find a doctor and staff that are helpful and you like. It's worth it. Once you do, it can be just weeks before you are in surgery. I think you'll do it!!!

You bet Vipvernm - I was his 3rd patient of the morning. $3500 times 3. That didn't include what insurance paid him. NOt bad for a mornings work.

Greytz Yes, I would say that $1000 was worth it. I didn't get anything for this. I paid separately for physc, vitamins, protein powder. I came at the last minute and brought them all the paperwork. All they did was fax it to the insurance company. I'm not disputing program fees. This was an extra $3500 that insurance doesn't cover. Good luck

Hi stacynclare I went to Milton Owens, Coastal Obesityin Orange county, a big advertiser on this website. Not many surgeons charged this ridiculous fee. Just ask them if they have a "program fee" that insurance doesn't cover. By the way, this fee did not include any pre-op stuff. It was for a program manual (he gave the the booklet by allergen that is free), insurance paperwork, access to websites (he told me to got to lapbandtalk.com), like I needed to pay $3500 to come here. My guy was a rip off and the staff isn't particularly good or knowledgeable. Just ask about any other fees. Good luck, feel free to ask me any other questions. I'm one month out. Surgery went fine, but not much restriction and I am starving. I thought it would be easier. Listen to what is said on this website. It can be tough going until you hit that sweet spot. I'm glad I did it, just waiting for a few more fills to make overeating a much easier nut to crack.

I paid a $3500 "program fee" not covered by insurance. Don't do it. I regret it, got nothing for it, and am kicking myself. I rushed into it. Don't make the same mistake!!!

I actually reported it to my insurance company. He is a blue cross provider which is how I got his name. Now he collects from blue cross and me. By the way, I was his 3rd patient of the day. Can you imagine. $3500 time 3 plus what he collects from insurance. NOt bad for a mornings work. I'll let you know what the insurance says.

No "program fees". Depends if your insurance covers him. I think he took something like $3800 if you are cash pay, that includes everything with his surgery, office. Insurance, I"m not sure. I was going to pay this fee, but the hospital next door to him fell out of my insurance and I just couldn't afford it. He works out of Cedars which my insurance covers. I could kick myself for not doing it. I paid more to doctor Owens, plus he charged my insurance.

I didn't check out anyone else in OC. I switched to him at the last minute. Go to obesityhelp.com and you can look up all the OC doctors. Maybe they list their fees, but at least you'll have the phone numbers to call and check. good luck

Hey Nazzy I'll trade. I already paid $3500 and got nothing for it either. Don't sweat the $400!!!

Dr Korman in Marina Del Rey. 1-800 491-1977. LA bariatric center. I love him. Had a last minute insurance problem so I couldn't do it. After all the fees I paid to Owens, I should have just stayed with Korman.

I'm sorry, it's orange county. Drive the few extra miles, get a better doctor with no program fees. Oliak is in the same practice I thinks as Owens (my doctor). He has an awful staff, uncaring, unknowledgeable, inattentive. I asked him what size my band was and he didn't know and never looked it up after several requests. Go to LA or San Diego.

I don't know what it is about that practice. It really isn't the norm. I saw a great doctor in LA, much more caring, great staff, no extra program fee. It's really a rip off. Go find someone else!!!! Wish I had.

I think I have a large 14cc band (my doctor doesn't remember) Great doc huh. Anyways, does anyone have this size band and at what point were they restricted. I have 6cc and feel no restriction yet.

yes, my first fill was with the full 6cc.

congratulations!!! I can't wait to see a 1 as the first number.

Congratulations on a job well done!!! May we all have the same wonderful results

Banded 6/26 with no fill and starving. I started testing the waters and found I had no consequences (nausea, vomiting) or even feeling full. WARNING - do not start eating. Most of us were banded because we can't stop. Get my first fill on Monday, hope that will work. Don't tell me to go to my doctor. Very non supportive and uninformed staff. I am happy I have this group to go to. I'll keep you updated!!!

Yes , I did pre op liquids and post op liquids, then mushies, then tested the waters myself because I was so hungry. Once I got a taste, I lost control. I guess I need to white knuckle it and hope that after my first fill, I'lll start feeling some restriction.

I sure hope so. I'm right there with you. Got banded 6/26 was fine for the first 2 weeks. This week I am eating normally, which is everything. Nuts, corn, steak, bread. I am terrified I am going to mess up something. I go for my first fill on Monday. I am trying, but if I could do it on my own, I wouldn't have needed the band.

I was banded with no fill and I am starving. Has anyone else been banded with no fill and how are you doing?

thanks Contemplating. That makes me feel better and I will get back on the horse and settle down. I thought, OMG this isn't working, everyone talks about how little they could eat, sliming, etc and here I am wolfing down an IN-and-Out